Kigoma

Kigoma is a city in Tanzania. Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Capital of the Western Region. Main railway terminus on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Important harbour. Population of 232,000 (2022).

The city has little infrastructure. Its roads are still mostly unpaved, and the electricity and water supply are erratic.

Get in

By plane

The small Kigoma Airport is in the eastern suburbs and has services from Dar es Salaam and Bujumbura, organization at the airport is very simple.

• 1 Kigoma Airport. (updated May 2023)

By train

The railway station in Kigoma.

National operator TRC runs a 3x-weekly overnight sleeper service from Dar es Salaam via Dodoma and Tabora, the journey takes two nights from Dar es Salaam and one night from cities further inland. A ticket for second class sleepers costs TSh 39,700, while first class tickets start at TSh 54,900.

• 2 Kigoma railway station, Kiezya Rd (Directly north of city centre). An impressive colonial building, but there are very limited service available. (updated May 2023)

Road bus

Kigoma is at the end of road B381, leaving the national road B8 at Kasulu. Roads are passable and steadily being improved. Traversing the country takes 3-4 days. the bus from Kigoma to Mpanda takes 6 hours a long a good road.

A daily International bus (Luba express) goes to/from Kigoma to Bujumbura Burundi.

By ferry

See also: MV Liemba

The legendary MV Liemba, oldest operating passenger ship in the world.

There are a few ferries that ply up and down Lake Tanganyika. Most famous is the MV Liemba, first built as a German warship in 1913. This ferry still operates between Kigoma and Mpulungu on the southern shores of the lake in Zambia, stopping at several places along the coast. Nowadays the modern MV Amani Kigoma also runs between Kalemie, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kigoma and Bujumbura in Burundi. Additionally, there are small ships that operate to and from minor towns.

While much improved, safety standards are still not up to international standards. Departures generally happen a few times per month, but schedules are erratic. It's usually best to inquire at the port directly.

Get around

By foot, taxi, or little motorcycle taxis (TSh 1500-3000 in 2023) for an inner city ride.

See

• Ujiji, 5 km from Kigoma (motorbike taxi USD1), a former Arab slave trading settlement, was the famous meeting place of Stanley and Livingstone.
• (Dr Livingstone Museum) is a total waste of USD10 Entrance fee. unless you are a East African citizen is which case you only pay one USD
• Mahale Mountains National Park. (updated Apr 2015)

Do

• 1 Gombe Stream National Park. a boat from Kigoma to Gobe National Park cost USD 250. entry fee usd100 per person. (updated May 2023)

Buy

• CRDB Bank. 24 hours atm.. Has a mastercard visa card atm. 15.000 Tsh. (updated Aug 2023)
• Exim bank. 24 hours atm.. mastercard visa card atm. 15.000 Tsh. (updated Aug 2023)
• NMB bank. 24 hours atm.. mastercard visa card atm. 15.000 Tsh. (updated Aug 2023)

Eat

• Leaders Lodge. (updated Apr 2020)

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Aqua Lodge, Katonga road, ☏ +255 764-980788. Fan rooms. From TSh 20,000. (updated Feb 2017)
• 2 Jakobsen Beach Guest House. Some 5 km from the town center, Jakobsen Beach offers various different accommodation options. The houses and tents are scattered over a vast area, connected with dirt tracks. The coastline is wonderful, and zebras come for a visit regularly. Food is not offered, but kitchens are available. from TSh 40,000. 
• 3 Leaders Lodge, ☏ +255 687331343. Bed, breakfast and dinner (BBD) & complimentary fast Wi-Fi. For reservations, you have to book on Booking.com or Expedia. 30,000~55,000. (updated Dec 2024)

Connect

The post office.

• Airtel internet. sim card - easy-cheap to buy Data. (updated Aug 2023)

Go next

The MV Liemba sails in direction Mpulungu (Zambia) and has a very erratic schedule.

Buses go as far as Bukoba (about 20 hours) Mpanda (six hours) and Sumbawanga (ten hours).